Patterned pressure-sensitive adhesive body and producing method thereof

ABSTRACT

A patterned pressure-sensitive adhesive body obtained by a method for producing a patterned pressure-sensitive adhesive body including a pattern forming step of cutting a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer in a pressure-sensitive adhesive film including a first release film and the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer laminated on one surface of the first release film so as to form a first slit in a pattern shape and an outer frame forming step of cutting the first release film and the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer so as to form a second slit in an outer frame shape surrounding the pattern shape, wherein the second slit has a discontinuous portion in a cutting direction.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This patent application is a divisional patent application of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 14/038,151 filed Sep. 26, 2013, which claimspriority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2012-217628 filed on Sep.28, 2012, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by referenceinto this application.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a patterned pressure-sensitive adhesivebody and a producing method thereof, to be specific, to a patternedpressure-sensitive adhesive body preferably used for an emblem or thelike to be attached to the exterior of an automobile and a producingmethod thereof.

2. Description of Related Art

In order to attach an emblem used for the exterior of an automobile orthe like to an automobile body, a double-coated pressure-sensitiveadhesive tape or the like has been conventionally used. That is, onesurface of the double-coated pressure-sensitive adhesive tape isattached to the emblem and the other surface thereof is attached to theautomobile body and in this way, the emblem is fixed to the automobilebody.

The double-coated pressure-sensitive adhesive tape is usually formedinto the same pattern as that of the emblem. The double-coatedpressure-sensitive adhesive tape is distributed as a product in a stateof being sandwiched between two pieces of release films and the releasefilms are peeled off at the time of its use.

In order to produce the patterned double-coated pressure-sensitiveadhesive tape, for example, patterns are continuously formed in along-length double-coated pressure-sensitive adhesive tape that iscontinuously conveyed by a roll-to-roll process and finally, thedouble-coated pressure-sensitive adhesive tapes are individually stampedout per one pattern (per one product) to be taken out.

To be specific, first, a long-length laminated tape in which adouble-coated pressure-sensitive adhesive tape and a cover film havingrelease properties are sequentially laminated on the surface of asubstrate film having release properties is prepared. Next, the obtainedlaminated tape is continuously conveyed and the cover film and thedouble-coated pressure-sensitive adhesive tape only are cut (subjectedto half cut) so as to form a desired pattern (for example, a pattern ofan emblem) and next, the laminated tape is completely stamped out(subjected to full cut) with a mold of an outer frame that surrounds onepattern so as to be divided per one pattern (one product). Finally, ofthe laminated tapes that are stamped out, a residue (an unnecessaryportion excluding the patterns in the pressure-sensitive adhesive layerand the cover film) is removed, so that the patterned double-coatedpressure-sensitive adhesive tape for an emblem to be served as a productis obtained.

The residue is, however, removed manually, so that the productionefficiency is low.

Thus, as a method for removing the residue easily and accurately,Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2005-238434 has been known.

In Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2005-238434, a method inwhich a dividing line for a residue for cutting a film residue into aplurality of pieces is cut in the film residue with a cutting plotterhas been proposed.

According to this method, the film residue is capable of beingefficiently removed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In the method described in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No.2005-238434, however, the film residue is required to be removedmanually in the end. Thus, there is a limit in achieving the improvementof the production efficiency.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a method forproducing a patterned pressure-sensitive adhesive body that is capableof improving the production efficiency and the patternedpressure-sensitive adhesive body.

A method for producing a patterned pressure-sensitive adhesive body ofthe present invention includes a pattern forming step of cutting apressure-sensitive adhesive layer in a pressure-sensitive adhesive filmincluding a first release film and the pressure-sensitive adhesive layerlaminated on one surface of the first release film so as to form a firstslit in a pattern shape and an outer frame forming step of cutting thefirst release film and the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer so as toform a second slit in an outer frame shape surrounding the patternshape, wherein the second slit has a discontinuous portion in a cuttingdirection.

Thus, when an outer-side pressure-sensitive adhesive layer that isdisposed at the outer side of the second slit is peeled from the firstrelease film, simultaneously, an inner-side pressure-sensitive adhesivelayer (a residue) that is disposed at the inner side of the second slitand at the outer side of the first slit is capable of being peeled fromthe first release film via the discontinuous portion.

In the method for producing a patterned pressure-sensitive adhesive bodyof the present invention, it is preferable that after the patternforming step and the outer frame forming step, an outer-sidepressure-sensitive adhesive layer that is disposed at the outer side ofthe second slit and an inner-side pressure-sensitive adhesive layer thatis continuous to the outer-side pressure-sensitive adhesive layer viathe discontinuous portion and is disposed at the inner side of thesecond slit are peeled from the first release film.

Thus, the manual operation of peeling off the inner-sidepressure-sensitive adhesive layer (the residue) is capable of beingreduced or omitted, so that the production efficiency of the patternedpressure-sensitive adhesive body is capable of being substantiallyimproved.

In the method for producing a patterned pressure-sensitive adhesive bodyof the present invention, it is preferable that the second release filmis laminated on one surface of the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer; inthe pattern forming step, the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer and thesecond release film are cut so as to form the first slit; and in theouter frame forming step, the first release film, the pressure-sensitiveadhesive layer, and the second release film are cut so as to form thesecond slit.

Thus, when the outer-side pressure-sensitive adhesive layer and anouter-side second release film that are disposed at the outer side ofthe second slit are peeled from the first release film, simultaneously,the inner-side pressure-sensitive adhesive layer and an inner-sidesecond release film (residues) that are disposed at the inner side ofthe second slit and at the outer side of the first slit are capable ofbeing peeled from the first release film via the discontinuous portion.

In the method for producing a patterned pressure-sensitive adhesive bodyof the present invention, it is preferable that after the patternforming step and the outer frame forming step, an outer-side secondrelease film that is disposed at the outer side of the second slit andan inner-side second release film that is continuous to the outer-sidesecond release film via the discontinuous portion and is disposed at theinner side of the second slit are peeled from the pressure-sensitiveadhesive layer and an outer-side pressure-sensitive adhesive layer thatis disposed at the outer side of the second slit and an inner-sidepressure-sensitive adhesive layer that is continuous to the outer-sidepressure-sensitive adhesive layer via the discontinuous portion and isdisposed at the inner side of the second slit are peeled from the firstrelease film.

Thus, the manual operation of peeling off the inner-sidepressure-sensitive adhesive layer and the inner-side second release film(the residues) is capable of being reduced or omitted, so that theproduction efficiency of the patterned pressure-sensitive adhesive bodyis capable of being substantially improved.

In the method for producing a patterned pressure-sensitive adhesive bodyof the present invention, it is preferable that the pattern forming stepand the outer frame forming step are simultaneously performed.

Thus, the production efficiency of the patterned pressure-sensitiveadhesive body is further improved.

A patterned pressure-sensitive adhesive body of the present invention isobtained by the above-described method for producing a patternedpressure-sensitive adhesive body.

The method for producing a patterned pressure-sensitive adhesive body ofthe present invention includes the pattern forming step of cutting thepressure-sensitive adhesive layer in the pressure-sensitive adhesivefilm including the first release film and the pressure-sensitiveadhesive layer laminated on the one surface of the first release film soas to form the first slit in a pattern shape and the outer frame formingstep of cutting the first release film and the pressure-sensitiveadhesive layer so as to form the second slit in an outer frame shapesurrounding the pattern shape, and the second slit has the discontinuousportion in the cutting direction.

Thus, when the outer-side pressure-sensitive adhesive layer that isdisposed at the outer side of the second slit is peeled from the firstrelease film, simultaneously, the inner-side pressure-sensitive adhesivelayer that is disposed at the inner side of the second slit via thediscontinuous portion is capable of being peeled from the first releasefilm.

As a result, the manual operation of peeling off the inner-sidepressure-sensitive adhesive layer is capable of being reduced oromitted, so that the production efficiency of the patternedpressure-sensitive adhesive body is capable of being substantiallyimproved.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a production device used in one embodiment of a method forproducing a patterned pressure-sensitive adhesive body of the presentinvention.

FIGS. 2( a)-2(c) show a laminate in a state of being conveyed to eachpositions of FIGS. 2( a), 2(b), and 2(c) in the production device inFIG. 1 with the left views showing the respective perspective views andthe right views showing A-A sectional views of the respectiveperspective views.

FIGS. 3( d)-3(f) shows a laminate in a state of being conveyed to eachpositions of FIGS. 3( d), 3(e), and 3(f) in the production device inFIG. 1 with the left views showing the respective perspective views andthe right views showing A-A sectional views of the respectiveperspective views.

FIG. 4 shows another embodiment of a patterned pressure-sensitiveadhesive body obtained in the producing method of the present inventionwith the left view showing a perspective view of the patternedpressure-sensitive adhesive body and the right view showing an A-Asectional view of the perspective view.

FIG. 5 shows a plan view of another embodiment of a patternedpressure-sensitive adhesive body obtained in the producing method of thepresent invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 1. Production Device

A production device 1 used in one embodiment of a method for producing apatterned pressure-sensitive adhesive body 30 is described withreference to FIG. 1.

The production device 1 for the patterned pressure-sensitive adhesivebody 30 includes a stamped-out portion 2 and a residue-removing portion3.

The stamped-out portion 2 includes a pressure-sensitive adhesivefilm-sending roll 4, a cover film-sending roll 5, a punching machine 6,a first laminated roll 8 a, a second laminated roll 8 b, a first tensionroll 9, and a cover film-winding roll 10.

The pressure-sensitive adhesive film-sending roll 4 is a roll forsending a pressure-sensitive adhesive film 20. In the pressure-sensitiveadhesive film-sending roll 4, the pressure-sensitive adhesive film 20 iswound around the surface of the roll so that the pressure-sensitiveadhesive surface (the surface of a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer 23)thereof is in contact with the surface of the roll. Thepressure-sensitive adhesive film-sending roll 4 is disposed at the mostupstream side in a conveying direction.

The cover film-sending roll 5 is a roll for sending a release cover film21 as a second release film. In the cover film-sending roll 5, therelease cover film 21 is wound around the surface of the roll so thatthe surface thereof having release properties is in contact with thesurface of the roll. The cover film-sending roll 5 is disposed inopposed relation to the upper side of the pressure-sensitive adhesivefilm-sending roll 4.

A first reversing roll 17 a is a roll for reversing thepressure-sensitive adhesive film 20 that is sent from thepressure-sensitive adhesive film-sending roll 4 so as to allow thepressure-sensitive adhesive surface thereof to face upwardly andconveying the pressure-sensitive adhesive film 20 to the downstream sidein the conveying direction. The first reversing roll 17 a is disposed inopposed relation to the upper side of the pressure-sensitive adhesivefilm-sending roll 4.

A second reversing roll 17 b is a roll for reversing the release coverfilm 21 that is sent from the cover film-sending roll 5 so as to allowthe release-treated surface thereof to face downwardly and conveying therelease cover film 21 to the downstream side in the conveying direction.The second reversing roll 17 b is disposed in opposed relation to thelower side of the cover film-sending roll 5. The size of the secondreversing roll 17 b is generally the same as that of the first reversingroll 17 a.

The first laminated roll 8 a, along with the second laminated roll 8 b,is a roll for fabricating a laminate (a first laminate 31) by laminatingthe pressure-sensitive adhesive film 20 sent from the pressure-sensitiveadhesive film-sending roll 4 and the release cover film 21 sent from thecover film-sending roll 5. The first laminated roll 8 a is positioned atthe downstream side in the conveying direction of the first reversingroll 17 a.

The second laminated roll 8 b is positioned at the downstream side inthe conveying direction of the second reversing roll 17 b and isdisposed in opposed relation at slightly spaced intervals to the upperside of the first laminated roll 8 a. The size of the second laminatedroll 8 b is generally the same as that of the first laminated roll 8 a.

The punching machine 6 is, at the downstream side in the conveyingdirection of the first laminated roll 8 a and the second laminated roll8 b, disposed at the upper side of the laminate that is conveyed. Thepunching machine 6 is, as shown by an arrow in FIG. 1, capable of movingin the up-down direction.

The punching machine 6 includes a punching board 11 and a punching blade12 that is integrally provided in the punching board 11.

The punching board 11 is formed into a generally rectangular shape inplane view having a predetermined thickness and is formed of a metal.

The punching blade 12 includes a first blade 12 a and a second blade 12b. As the punching blade 12, a Thomson blade is used.

The first blade 12 a is configured to be capable of forming first slits41 in pattern shapes in the laminate. To be specific, the length of thefirst blade 12 a is formed to be longer than the total thickness of therelease cover film 21 and the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer 23(described later). The blade shape (the shape in plane view of the edge)of the first blade 12 a is formed to have a desired pattern (forexample, letters, figures, or codes) in plane view. The first blade 12 amay be composed of a plurality of blades in accordance with a desiredpattern shape.

The second blade 12 b is configured to be capable of forming secondslits 42 in outer frame shapes in the laminate. The length of the secondblade 12 b is formed to be longer than that of the first blade 12 a andis also formed to be longer than the total thickness of the releasecover film 21, the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer 23, and a releasesubstrate film 22 (described later).

The shape in plane view (the blade shape) of the second blade 12 b is agenerally rectangular shape (a rectangle) composed of two sides that areformed along the conveying direction at spaced intervals to each otherand two sides that are formed along a direction perpendicular to theconveying direction at spaced intervals to each other. The size thereofis formed so as to include the pattern shape of the first blade 12 a.That is, the second blade 12 b is formed at the outer side of the firstblade 12 a.

The generally rectangular shape has discontinuous portions in a cuttingdirection. That is, the generally rectangular shape is composed of anintermittent line in which a part thereof is cut by a slight gap. Thatis, the second blade 12 b is, in the discontinuous portions, formed soas to be chipped.

The discontinuous portions of the edge of the second blade 12 b areformed in both of the sides in the conveying direction and the sides inthe direction perpendicular to the conveying direction. Thediscontinuous portions in the sides in the direction perpendicular tothe conveying direction are formed to be denser than those in the sidesin the conveying direction.

The length of each of the discontinuous portions (the interval betweengaps) of the edge of the second blade 12 b is, for example, 0.1 mm ormore, preferably 0.5 mm or more, or furthermore 1 mm or more, and is,for example, 20 mm or less, preferably 10 mm or less, or furthermore 5mm or less.

The number of the discontinuous portions is, in the sides (the longsides) in the conveying direction, per one side, for example, 1 or more,preferably 2 or more, or more preferably 5 or more, and is, for example,100 or less, preferably 80 or less, or more preferably 50 or less.

The number of the discontinuous portions is, in the sides (the shortsides) in the direction perpendicular to the conveying direction, perone side, for example, 1 or more, preferably 2 or more, or morepreferably 5 or more, and is, for example, 100 or less, preferably 80 orless, or more preferably 50 or less.

The punching machine 6 includes a support 7 that is disposed at thelower side of the punching board 11 so as to sandwich the laminate withthe punching board 11. The support 7 is formed into a flat plate shapeand is formed into a size that includes the punching board 11 in planeview.

The first tension roll 9 is disposed at the downstream side in theconveying direction of the punching machine 6 so as to be in contactwith the laminate.

The cover film-winding roll 10 is disposed at the downstream side in theconveying direction of the punching machine 6 and is disposed above thefirst tension roll 9.

The residue-removing portion 3 includes a third laminated roll 14, aresidue-removing film-sending roll 13, a second tension roll 16, and aresidue-removing film-winding roll 15.

The third laminated roll 14 is disposed at the downstream side in theconveying direction of the first tension roll 9. The third laminatedroll 14 is configured to be capable of laminating a residue-removingfilm 36 that is sent from the residue-removing film-sending roll 13 onthe laminate.

The residue-removing film-sending roll 13 is disposed at the downstreamside in the conveying direction of the first tension roll 9 and isdisposed above the third laminated roll 14. The residue-removing film 36is wound around the surface of the residue-removing film-sending roll13. The residue-removing film 36 is sent from the surface toward thethird laminated roll 14.

The second tension roll 16 is disposed at the downstream side in theconveying direction of the third laminated roll 14 so as to be incontact with the laminate.

The residue-removing film-winding roll 15 is disposed at the downstreamside in the conveying direction of the third laminated roll 14 and isdisposed above the second tension roll 16.

2. Method for Producing Patterned Pressure-Sensitive Adhesive Body

One embodiment of a method for producing the patternedpressure-sensitive adhesive body 30 is described with reference to FIGS.1, 2, and 3.

The method for producing the patterned pressure-sensitive adhesive body30 includes (1) a step of preparing the pressure-sensitive adhesive film20 and the release cover film 21, (2) a step of laminating the releasecover film 21 on the pressure-sensitive adhesive film 20 to obtain thefirst laminate 31, (3) a step of forming the first slits 41 and thesecond slits 42 in the first laminate 31 to obtain a second laminate 32,(4) a step of peeling an outer-side cover film 25 a and inner-side coverfilms 25 b from the second laminate 32 to obtain a third laminate 33,(5) a step of laminating the residue-removing film 36 on the thirdlaminate 33 to obtain a fourth laminate 34, (6) a step of peeling anouter-side pressure-sensitive adhesive layer 27 a and inner-sidepressure-sensitive adhesive layers 27 b, along with the residue-removingfilm 36, from the fourth laminate 34 to obtain a fifth laminate 35, and(7) a step of taking out each of the patterned pressure-sensitiveadhesive bodies 30 from the fifth laminate 35.

First, the pressure-sensitive adhesive film 20 and the release coverfilm 21 are prepared.

The pressure-sensitive adhesive film 20 includes the release substratefilm 22 as a first release film and the pressure-sensitive adhesivelayer 23 that is laminated on one surface thereof.

The surface at one side of the release substrate film 22 has releaseproperties and the release substrate film 22 is formed into along-length generally flat belt shape. As the release substrate film 22,for example, a film in which a release treating agent is applied anddried at the surface of a substrate film can be used.

Examples of the substrate film include paper such as wood free paper,kraft paper, glassine paper, plastic laminated paper; a plastic filmsuch as polyethylene (high-density polyethylene, low-densitypolyethylene, linear low-density polyethylene, and the like),polypropylene, polyester (polyethylene terephthalate and the like),polyamide (nylon and the like), a-olefin copolymer,poly-4-methyl-1-pentene, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride, andfluorine-based; and a metal foil such as aluminum foil and stainlesssteel foil.

Preferably, polyethylene, polypropylene, and polyester are used. Whenthe polyester is used, preferably, polyethylene terephthalate is used.

These above-described substrates may be used alone or in combination oftwo or more.

The substrate may be formed of one layer or a plurality of layers.

Examples of the release treating agent include a silicone-based releasetreating agent, a fluorine-based release treating agent, and along-chain alkyl-based release treating agent.

When the material such as a plastic film itself has release properties,for example, the release treating agent is not applied and the materialitself is capable of being used as the release substrate film 22.

The thickness of the release substrate film 22 is, for example, 0.025 mmor more, preferably 0.03 mm or more, or more preferably 0.05 mm or more,and is, for example, 0.20 mm or less, preferably 0.15 mm or less, ormore preferably 0.13 mm or less.

By setting the thickness of the release substrate film 22 to be 0.025 mmor more, in the pattern forming step, the reaching (full cut) of thefirst blade 12 a to the lower surface of the release substrate film 22is capable of being prevented. Also, in the obtained patternedpressure-sensitive adhesive body 30, the release substrate film 22 iscapable of being easily peeled off, so that it has excellent handlingability. On the other hand, by setting the thickness of the releasesubstrate film 22 to be 0.20 mm or less, the production cost is reduced.After the use of the patterned pressure-sensitive adhesive body 30, therelease substrate film 22 is disposed of, so that the amount of wastedisposal can be reduced, leading to a reduction in the environmentalload.

The pressure-sensitive adhesive layer 23 is composed of a long-lengthlayer having pressure-sensitive adhesive properties on both surfacesthereof. The pressure-sensitive adhesive layer 23 is formed into thesame shape as that of the release substrate film 22.

Examples of the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer 23 include asubstrate-including double-coated pressure-sensitive adhesive tape inwhich the pressure-sensitive adhesive layers 23 are laminated on bothsurfaces of a substrate and a substrate-less double-coatedpressure-sensitive adhesive tape that is formed of thepressure-sensitive adhesive layer 23 only. Preferably, in view ofpressure-sensitive adhesive properties, a substrate-less double-coatedpressure-sensitive adhesive tape is used.

Examples of the substrate used in the substrate-including double-coatedpressure-sensitive adhesive tape include a non-woven fabric, paper, aplastic film, and a metal foil.

The pressure-sensitive adhesive layer 23 is formed from apressure-sensitive adhesive composition. As the pressure-sensitiveadhesive composition, preferably, a bubble-containing pressure-sensitiveadhesive composition is used.

The content rate of a bubble in the pressure-sensitive adhesivecomposition is, for example, 10 volume % or more, preferably 11 volume %or more, or more preferably 12 volume % or more, and is, for example, 50volume % or less, preferably 45 volume % or less, or more preferably 40volume % or less.

Preferably, the pressure-sensitive adhesive composition contains hollowmicrospheres.

Examples of the hollow microspheres may include hollow inorganicmicrospheres and hollow organic microspheres. To be specific, examplesof the hollow inorganic microspheres include a hollow balloon made ofglass such as a hollow glass balloon, a hollow balloon made of a metalcompound such as a hollow aluminum balloon, and a hollow balloon made ofporcelain such as a hollow ceramic balloon. An example of the holloworganic microspheres includes a hollow balloon made of a resin such as ahollow acrylic balloon and a hollow vinylidene chloride balloon.Preferably, a hollow glass balloon is used.

By containing the hollow microspheres, the adhesive properties areimproved and the cutting properties at the time of being cut withrespect to the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer 23 are improved.

The particle size (the average particle size) of each of the hollowmicrospheres is not particularly limited and is, for example, 1 μm ormore, preferably 5 μm or more, or more preferably 10 μm or more, and is,for example, 500 μm or less, preferably 200 μm or less, or morepreferably 100 μm or less.

As the pressure-sensitive adhesive composition and the method forproducing the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer 23 formed from thepressure-sensitive adhesive composition, for example, a composition anda producing method described in Japanese Unexamined Patent PublicationsNo. 2005-179561 and No. 2006-22189 can be used.

The thickness of the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer 23 is, forexample, 0 2 mm or more, or preferably 0.4 mm or more, and is, forexample, 4 mm or less, or preferably 2 mm or less.

The pressure-sensitive adhesive film 20 is capable of being obtained by,for example, attaching the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer 23 (apressure-sensitive adhesive tape) to the release substrate film 22 orby, for example, applying a pressure-sensitive adhesive composition tothe release substrate film 22 to be dried.

The pressure-sensitive adhesive layer 23 completely coincides with therelease substrate film 22 when projected in the thickness direction.That is, the side surfaces of the end portion in the widthwise directionof the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer 23 are, in the thicknessdirection, flush with the side surfaces of the end portion in thewidthwise direction of the release substrate film 22.

The surface at one side of the release cover film 21 has releaseproperties and the release cover film 21 is formed into a long-lengthgenerally flat belt shape. As the release cover film 21, for example,the same material as that of the release substrate film 22 can be used.

The release cover film 21 is fabricated so as to be capable of beingeasily peeled off with respect to the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer23, compared to the release substrate film 22. To be specific, therelease cover film 21 and the release substrate film 22 are set so thatin a case where the release cover film 21 is attached to one surface ofthe pressure-sensitive adhesive layer 23 and the release substrate film22 is attached to the other surface of the pressure-sensitive adhesivelayer 23, the peeling force (the peeling force of substrate) of peelingthe release substrate film 22 from the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer23 is larger than the peeling force (the peeling force of cover) ofpeeling the release cover film 21 from the pressure-sensitive adhesivelayer 23.

The peeling force of substrate with respect to the peeling force ofcover is, for example, twice or more, or preferably five times or more,and is, for example, 10 times or less. By setting the ratio within thisrange, when the release cover film 21 is peeled from thepressure-sensitive adhesive layer 23, a peeling at the interface betweenthe pressure-sensitive adhesive layer 23 and the release substrate film22 is capable of being reduced.

The peeling force is, for example, in the first laminate 31 (describedlater) in which the release cover film 21, the pressure-sensitiveadhesive layer 23, and the release substrate film 22 are laminated,measured by the following peeling test. First, the first laminate 31 iscut into pieces each having a width of 50 mm to produce test pieces.Next, a film (the release cover film 21 or the release substrate film22) that serves as an object to be peeled off in the test piece ispulled under an atmosphere of 23° C. and 60% RH in a 180 degreedirection with a universal tensile testing machine at a cross head rateof 300 mm/min, so that the film that serves as an object to be peeledoff is peeled from the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer 23. Theresistance value at the time of being peeled off is measured and themaximum value at the initial time (beginning of peeling) of themeasurement data is defined as the peeling force (unit: N/50 mm width).

When the width of the first laminate 31 is below 50 mm width, themeasurement is also capable of being performed as follows: theabove-described measurement is performed by a plurality of differentwidths and then, the obtained measurement value is converted into a 50mm width.

The length in the widthwise direction (the direction perpendicular tothe conveying direction) of the release cover film 21 is formed to beslightly longer than the length in the widthwise direction of thepressure-sensitive adhesive layer 23.

The thickness of the release cover film 21 is, for example, 0.05 mm ormore, or preferably 0.07 mm or more, and is, for example, 0.20 mm orless, or preferably 0.18 mm or less.

By setting the thickness of the release cover film 21 to be 0.05 mm ormore, in the obtained patterned pressure-sensitive adhesive body 30, therelease cover film 21 is capable of being easily peeled off, so that ithas excellent handling ability. On the other hand, by setting thethickness of the release cover film 21 to be 0.20 mm or less, theproduction cost is reduced. After the use of the patternedpressure-sensitive adhesive body 30, the release cover film 21 isdisposed of, so that the amount of waste disposal can be reduced,leading to a reduction in the environmental load.

The pressure-sensitive adhesive film 20 prepared in this way is woundaround the pressure-sensitive adhesive film-sending roll 4 so that thesurface of the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer 23 is in contact withthe surface of the roll and the surface of the release substrate film 22is exposed outwardly from the roll (so that the pressure-sensitiveadhesive layer 23 is disposed at the inner side in the radial directionof the pressure-sensitive adhesive film-sending roll 4 with respect tothe release substrate film 22). On the other hand, the release coverfilm 21 is wound around the cover film-sending roll 5 so that thesurface thereof having release properties is in contact with the surfaceof the roll (so that the surface thereof having release properties isdisposed at the inner side in the radial direction of the coverfilm-sending roll 5 with respect to the back surface thereof).

Next, the release cover film 21 is laminated on the pressure-sensitiveadhesive film 20, so that the first laminate 31 is obtained. To bespecific, the release cover film 21 is brought into contact with the onesurface (the surface side of the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer 23)of the pressure-sensitive adhesive film 20 to be attached to each other.

First, the pressure-sensitive adhesive film 20 that is wound around thepressure-sensitive adhesive film-sending roll 4 is sent toward the upperside and the upstream side in the conveying direction and is allowed topass through the side surface at the upstream side in the conveyingdirection of the first reversing roll 17 a so that the release substratefilm 22 is in contact with the first reversing roll 17 a.

Next, the pressure-sensitive adhesive film 20 that passes through theside surface at the upstream side in the conveying direction of thefirst reversing roll 17 a is conveyed toward the downstream side in theconveying direction in a state where the pressure-sensitive adhesivelayer 23 is positioned at the upper side with respect to the releasesubstrate film 22. Then, the pressure-sensitive adhesive film 20 isallowed to pass through between the first laminated roll 8 a and thesecond laminated roll 8 b so that the release substrate film 22 is incontact with the upper surface of the first laminated roll 8 a. At thistime, the pressure-sensitive adhesive film 20 is conveyed graduallytoward the upper side, as it goes from the first reversing roll 17 atoward the downstream side in the conveying direction. After thepressure-sensitive adhesive film 20 passes through the upper side of thefirst laminated roll 8 a, it is horizontally conveyed in the conveyingdirection.

Also, the release cover film 21 that is wound around the coverfilm-sending roll 5 is sent toward the lower side and the upstream sidein the conveying direction and is allowed to pass through the sidesurface at the upstream side in the conveying direction of the secondreversing roll 17 b so that the surface (the back surface) that is theopposite side to the surface having release properties is in contactwith the second reversing roll 17 b.

Next, the release cover film 21 that passes through the side surface atthe upstream side in the conveying direction of the second reversingroll 17 b is conveyed toward the downstream side in the conveyingdirection in a state where the surface thereof having release propertiesis positioned at the lower side with respect to the back surfacethereof. Then, the release cover film 21 is allowed to pass throughbetween the first laminated roll 8 a and the second laminated roll 8 bso that the back surface thereof is in contact with the lower surface ofthe second laminated roll 8 b. At this time, the release cover film 21is conveyed gradually toward the lower side, as it goes from the secondreversing roll 17 b toward the downstream side in the conveyingdirection. After the release cover film 21 passes through the lower sideof the second laminated roll 8 b, it is horizontally conveyed toward thedownstream side in the conveying direction.

When the pressure-sensitive adhesive film 20 and the release cover film21 pass through a slight gap between the first laminated roll 8 a andthe second laminated roll 8 b, the release cover film 21 comes incontact with the upper side surface (that is, the pressure-sensitiveadhesive layer 23) of the pressure-sensitive adhesive film 20 to beattached.

In this way, as shown in FIG. 2 (a), the first laminate 31 composed ofthe release substrate film 22, the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer 23that is laminated on the one surface of the release substrate film 22,and the release cover film 21 that is laminated on the one surface ofthe pressure-sensitive adhesive layer 23 is obtained.

In the first laminate 31, at the side surfaces of the end surfaces inthe widthwise direction, the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer 23 isformed to be flush with the release substrate film 22. The release coverfilm 21 is, in the widthwise direction, formed to be longer than thepressure-sensitive adhesive layer 23 or the release substrate film 22and is, when projected in the thickness direction, formed so as toinclude the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer 23 and the releasesubstrate film 22.

Next, the first slits 41 and the second slits 42 are formed in the firstlaminate 31, so that the second laminate 32 is obtained. That is, in thefirst laminate 31, the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer 23 and therelease cover film 21 are cut so that the first slits 41 are formed, andthe release substrate film 22, the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer 23,and the release cover film 21 are cut so that the second slits 42 areformed.

To be specific, as shown in FIG. 1, when the first laminate 31 passesthrough the lower side of the punching machine 6, the punching machine 6is moved toward the lower side and the first blade 12 a and the secondblade 12 b of the punching machine 6 are pressed toward the firstlaminate 31. At this time, the second blade 12 b completely penetratesthrough the first laminate 31 in the thickness direction. On the otherhand, the first blade 12 a having a shorter blade than that of thesecond blade 12 b penetrates through the release cover film 21 and thepressure-sensitive adhesive layer 23 only and fails to penetrate throughthe release substrate film 22.

In this way, as shown in FIG. 2 (b), the second laminate 32 in which thefirst slits 41 corresponding to the shape of the first blade 12 a andthe second slits 42 corresponding to the shape of the second blade 12 bare formed is obtained.

As shown by the left view in FIG. 2 (b), the first slits 41 are formedinto predetermined pattern shapes in plane view. As shown by the rightview (the sectional view in the conveying direction) in FIG. 2 (b), thefirst slits 41 are, in the thickness direction, formed from the uppersurface of the release cover film 21 to the middle of the releasesubstrate film 22.

By the first slits 41, in the release cover film 21, each of theinner-side portions (a patterned cover film 24) of the first slits 41 inpattern shapes is cut from an outer-side portion 25 of the first slits41. In the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer 23, each of the inner-sideportions (a patterned pressure-sensitive adhesive layer 26) of the firstslits 41 in pattern shapes is cut from an outer-side portion 27 of thefirst slits 41.

As shown by the right view in FIG. 2 (b), the second slits 42 are formedfrom the upper surface of the release cover film 21 through the lowersurface of the release substrate film 22. That is, the second slits 42penetrate through the second laminate 32.

In the left view in FIG. 2 (b), each of the second slits 42 is formedinto a generally rectangular shape in plane view and includes each ofthe first slits 41 in the inside thereof. As referred in a partiallyenlarged view in FIG. 2 (b), the second slit 42 is formed so as to havediscontinuous portions 43 in the cutting direction (the direction inwhich the second slit 42 extends). Thus, in the release cover film 21,the outer-side portion (the outer-side cover film 25 a as an outer-sidesecond release film) of the second slits 42 is connected to theinner-side portions (the inner-side cover films 25 b as inner-sidesecond release films) of each of the second slits 42, which are theouter-side portions of the first slits 41 via the discontinuous portions43. In the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer 23, the outer-side portion(the outer-side pressure-sensitive adhesive layer 27 a) of the secondslits 42 is connected to the inner-side portions (the inner-sidepressure-sensitive adhesive layers 27 b) of each of the second slits 42,which are the outer-side portions of the first slits 41 via thediscontinuous portions 43. In the release substrate film 22, theouter-side portion (an outer-side substrate film 28) of the second slits42 is connected to the inner-side portion (an inner-side substrate film29) of each of the second slits 42 via the discontinuous portions 43.

In the sectional view in the conveying direction, the first slits 41 aredisposed in the inner side of each of the second slits 42.

The discontinuous portions 43 of the second slit 42 correspond to thediscontinuous portions of the second blade 12 b. That is, the shape ofthe second slit 42 is formed into a generally rectangular shape havingthe discontinuous portions 43 in the cutting direction. The generallyrectangular shape is not one continuous line and is composed of anintermittent line in which a part thereof is cut by a slight gap.

The discontinuous portions 43 are formed in both sides of the sides (thelong sides) in the conveying direction of the second laminate 32 and thesides (the short sides) in the direction perpendicular to the conveyingdirection thereof. The discontinuous portions 43 in the sides in thedirection perpendicular to the conveying direction are formed to bedenser than those in the sides in the conveying direction.

The discontinuous portions 43 in the second slits 42 are formed so asnot to be positioned at a corner of the rectangular shape.

The length in the conveying direction (the length of the long side) ofeach of the second slits 42 is, for example, 1 mm or more, preferably 2mm or more, or furthermore 3 mm or more, and is, for example, 100 mm orless, preferably 80 mm or less, or furthermore 50 mm or less.

The length in the widthwise direction (the length of the short side) ofeach of the second slits 42 is, for example, 1 mm or more, preferably 2mm or more, or furthermore 3 mm or more, and is, for example, 50 mm orless, preferably 15 mm or less, or furthermore 10 mm or less.

The length of each of the discontinuous portions 43 is, for example, 0.1mm or more, preferably 0.5 mm or more, or furthermore 1 mm or more, andis, for example, 20 mm or less, preferably 10 mm or less, or furthermore5 mm or less.

The number of the discontinuous portions 43 is, in the sides (the longsides) in the conveying direction, per one side, for example, 1 or more,preferably 2 or more, or more preferably 5 or more, and is, for example,100 or less, preferably 80 or less, or more preferably 50 or less.

The number of the discontinuous portions 43 is, in the sides (the shortsides) in the direction perpendicular to the conveying direction, perone side, for example, 1 or more, preferably 2 or more, or morepreferably 5 or more, and is, for example, 100 or less, preferably 80 orless, or more preferably 50 or less.

The first slits 41 and the second slits 42 are formed in the firstlaminate 31 so that the area of each of the patterned portions (each ofthe inner-side portions of the first slits 41) at the downstream side inthe conveying direction is reduced. To be specific, each of thepatterned portions is divided into a right-side portion and a left-sideportion in the conveying direction with the center of the long side ofthe second slit 42 (the outer frame) as a reference. Then, the area(that is, the area of the patterned cover film 24 that is formed) ofeach of the patterned portions, which is formed in the right-sideportion and the left-side portion, is calculated and the portion havingless area (the right-side portion or the left-side portion) is disposedat the downstream side in the conveying direction. In order to have theformation in this manner, the punching machine 6 may be rotated by 180degrees clockwise (or counter-clockwise) in plane view in accordancewith the pattern shape.

Next, the outer-side cover film 25 a and the inner-side cover films 25 bare peeled from the second laminate 32, so that the third laminate 33 isobtained. That is, the outer-side cover film 25 a, along with theinner-side cover films 25 b via the continuous portions 43, is peeledfrom the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer 23 in the second laminate 32.

To be specific, the lower surface of the first tension roll 9 is broughtinto contact with the second laminate 32, the one end portion of theouter-side cover film 25 a is fixed to the cover film-winding roll 10,and the cover film-winding roll 10 is rotated so as to wind theouter-side cover film 25 a.

At this time, as shown by the phantom line in the left view in FIG. 2(c), the outer-side cover film 25 a is pulled upwardly with respect tothe conveying direction, so that the outer-side cover film 25 a ispeeled from the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer 23. Also, theinner-side cover films 25 b that are connected to the outer-side coverfilm 25 a via the discontinuous portions 43 are pulled upwardly, so thatthe inner-side cover films 25 b are peeled from the pressure-sensitiveadhesive layer 23.

In this way, as shown in FIG. 2 (c), the third laminate 33 composed ofthe release substrate film 22 in which the second slits 42 are formed,the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer 23 that is laminated on the uppersurface thereof and in which the first slits 41 and the second slits 42are formed, and the patterned cover films 24 that are laminated on theupper surface thereof and are formed in pattern shapes is obtained.

Next, the residue-removing film 36 is laminated on the third laminate33, so that the fourth laminate 34 is obtained. That is, theresidue-removing film 36 is laminated on the surfaces of the patternedcover films 24 and the exposed surfaces of the pressure-sensitiveadhesive layer 23 in the third laminate 33.

To be specific, the residue-removing film 36 is sent from theresidue-removing film-sending roll 13 and the residue-removing film 36is allowed to pass through the lower surface of the third laminate roll14 to be brought into contact with the third laminate 33 that isconveyed.

In this way, the fourth laminate 34 is obtained. As shown in FIG. 3 (d),the fourth laminate 34 is composed of the release substrate film 22 inwhich the second slits 42 are formed, the pressure-sensitive adhesivelayer 23 that is laminated on the upper surface thereof and in which thefirst slits 41 and the second slits 42 are formed, the patterned coverfilms 24 that are laminated on the upper surface thereof and are formedinto pattern shapes, and the residue-removing film 36 that is laminatedon the upper surfaces thereof.

The residue-removing film 36 is formed into a long-length generallyrectangular shape in plane view and the length thereof in the widthwisedirection is formed to be slightly longer than the length in thewidthwise direction of the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer 23.

The thickness of the residue-removing film 36 is, for example, 10 μm ormore, or preferably 15 μm or more, and is, for example, 300 μm or less,or preferably 100 μm or less.

In the residue-removing film 36, the surface that is brought intocontact with the third laminate 33 is configured to be attached to thepressure-sensitive adhesive layer 23 and to be easily fixed thereto. Tobe specific, the surface is configured to allow the residue-removingfilm 36 to adhere to the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer 23 and toallow the peeling force at the time of peeling the residue-removing film36 and the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer 23 to be larger than thatat the time of peeling the release substrate film 22 and thepressure-sensitive adhesive layer 23.

A material that forms the residue-removing film 36 is appropriately setfrom the above-described material that forms the release cover film 21.When the material that is easily peeled off is set, the surface of theresidue-removing film 36 is subjected to surface treatment so as to beeasily peeled off.

Next, the outer-side pressure-sensitive adhesive layer 27 a and theinner-side pressure-sensitive adhesive layers 27 b, along with theresidue-removing film 36, are peeled from the fourth laminate 34, sothat the fifth laminate 35 is obtained. That is, the residue-removingfilm 36, and the outer-side pressure-sensitive adhesive layer 27 a andthe inner-side pressure-sensitive adhesive layers 27 b that are attachedto the residue-removing film 36 are peeled from the release substratefilm 22.

To be specific, the lower surface of the second tension roll 16 isbrought into contact with the fourth laminate 34, the one end portion ofthe residue-removing film 36 is fixed to the residue-removingfilm-winding roll 15, and the residue-removing film-winding roll 15 isrotated so as to wind the residue-removing film 36.

At this time, the residue-removing film 36 is pulled upwardly withrespect to the conveying direction, and the inner-sidepressure-sensitive adhesive layers 27 b and the outer-sidepressure-sensitive adhesive layer 27 a that are attached to theresidue-removing film 36 are also pulled. As a result, the inner-sidepressure-sensitive adhesive layers 27 b and the outer-sidepressure-sensitive adhesive layer 27 a are peeled from the interfacebetween the inner-side pressure-sensitive adhesive layers 27 b and theouter-side pressure-sensitive adhesive layer 27 a, and the releasesubstrate film 22, so that the outer-side pressure-sensitive adhesivelayer 27 a and the inner-side pressure-sensitive adhesive layers 27 b,along with the residue-removing film 36, are wound around theresidue-removing film-winding roll 15. The patterned shape portions (theinner-side portions of the first slits 41) in the pressure-sensitiveadhesive layer 23 are in a state of being attached to the releasesubstrate film 22 because the patterned cover films 24 that arelaminated on the upper surfaces thereof are not attached to theresidue-removing film 36.

In this way, the fifth laminate 35 is obtained. As shown in FIG. 3 (e),the fifth laminate 35 is composed of the release substrate film 22 inwhich the second slits 42 are formed, the patterned pressure-sensitiveadhesive layers 26 that are laminated on the release substrate film 22and are formed into pattern shapes, and the patterned cover films 24that are laminated on the patterned pressure-sensitive adhesive layers26 and are formed into pattern shapes having the same shapes as those ofthe patterned pressure-sensitive adhesive layers 26.

Next, each of the patterned pressure-sensitive adhesive bodies 30 istaken out from the fifth laminate 35. That is, the inner-side substratefilm 29 in the inside of each of the second slits 42 and the outer-sidesubstrate film 28 are cut off from the fifth laminate 35.

To be specific, the discontinuous portions 43 in the second slits 42 inthe release substrate film 22 are fractured by application of apredetermined pressure in the thickness direction thereof manually, witha pressing machine, or the like.

In this way, each of the patterned pressure-sensitive adhesive bodies 30is obtained.

As shown in FIG. 3 (f), each of the patterned pressure-sensitiveadhesive bodies 30 is composed of the inner-side substrate film 29, thepatterned pressure-sensitive adhesive layer 26 that is laminated on theinner-side substrate film 29 and is formed into a pattern shape, and thepatterned cover film 24 that is laminated on the patternedpressure-sensitive adhesive layer 26 and is formed into a pattern shapehaving the same shape as that of the patterned pressure-sensitiveadhesive layer 26.

The patterned pressure-sensitive adhesive layer 26, when projected inthe thickness direction, includes the patterned cover film 24 and theside surfaces of the patterned pressure-sensitive adhesive layer 26 areflush with those of the patterned cover film 24.

The inner-side substrate film 29 is formed into a generally rectangularshape (an outer frame shape) in plane view and when projected in thethickness direction, includes the patterned pressure-sensitive adhesivelayer 26 and the patterned cover film 24.

The patterned pressure-sensitive adhesive body 30 obtained in this wayis capable of being used as a double-coated pressure-sensitive adhesivetape for attaching an emblem for automobiles such as a car and an motorcycle; an emblem of household electric appliances, electrical/electronicdevices, and machine tools; indication at buildings including housing,an office, or the like; and a decorative article to an object to beattached.

The method for producing the patterned pressure-sensitive adhesive body30 includes a pattern forming step of cutting the pressure-sensitiveadhesive layer 23 in the pressure-sensitive adhesive film 20 includingthe release substrate film 22 and the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer23 that is laminated on the one surface of the release substrate film 22so as to form the first slits 41 in pattern shapes and an outer frameforming step of cutting the release substrate film 22 and thepressure-sensitive adhesive layer 23 so as to form the second slits 42in outer frame shapes surrounding the pattern shapes. The second slits42 have the discontinuous portions 43 in the cutting direction.

Thus, when the outer-side pressure-sensitive adhesive layer 27 a that isdisposed at the outer side of the second slits 42 is peeled from therelease substrate film 22, simultaneously, the inner-sidepressure-sensitive adhesive layers 27 b (the residues) that is disposedat the inner side of each of the second slits 42 and at the outer sideof the first slits 41 via the discontinuous portions 43 are capable ofbeing peeled from the release substrate film 22.

According to the method for producing the patterned pressure-sensitiveadhesive body 30, the release cover film 21 is laminated on the onesurface of the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer 23; in the patternforming step, the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer 23 and the releasecover film 21 are cut so as to form the first slits 41; and in the outerframe forming step, the release substrate film 22, thepressure-sensitive adhesive layer 23, and the release cover film 21 arecut so as to form the second slits 42.

Thus, when the outer-side pressure-sensitive adhesive layer 27 a and theouter-side cover film 25 a that are disposed at the outer side of eachof the second slits 42 are peeled from the release substrate film 22,the inner-side pressure-sensitive adhesive layers 27 b and theinner-side cover films 25 b (the residues) that are disposed at theinner side of each of the second slits 42 and at the outer side of thefirst slits 41 via the discontinuous portions 43 are also capable ofbeing simultaneously peeled from the release substrate film 22.

According to the method for producing the patterned pressure-sensitiveadhesive body 30, after the pattern forming step and the outer frameforming step, the outer-side cover film 25 a that is disposed at theouter side of the second slits 42 and the inner-side cover films 25 b,each of which is continuous to the outer-side cover film 25 a via thediscontinuous portions 43 and is disposed at the inner side of each ofthe second slits 42 are peeled from the pressure-sensitive adhesivelayer 23, and the outer-side pressure-sensitive adhesive layer 27 a thatis disposed at the outer side of the second slits 42 and the inner-sidepressure-sensitive adhesive layers 27 b, each of which is continuous tothe outer-side pressure-sensitive adhesive layer 27 a via thediscontinuous portions 43 and is disposed at the inner side of each ofthe second slits 42 are peeled from the release substrate film 22.

Thus, the manual operation of peeling off the inner-sidepressure-sensitive adhesive layers 27 b and the inner-side cover films25 b (the residues) is capable of being reduced or omitted, so that theproduction efficiency of the patterned pressure-sensitive adhesive body30 is capable of being substantially improved.

In the method for producing the patterned pressure-sensitive adhesivebody 30, the pattern forming step and the outer frame forming step aresimultaneously performed.

Thus, the first slits 41 and the second slits 42 are simultaneouslyformed in the pressure-sensitive adhesive film 20.

As a result, the production efficiency of the patternedpressure-sensitive adhesive body 30 is further improved.

In the embodiment using the production device 1 in FIG. 1, the releasecover film 21 is laminated on the pressure-sensitive adhesive film 20including the release substrate film 22 and the pressure-sensitiveadhesive layer 23 that is laminated on the one surface of the releasesubstrate film 22, so that the patterned pressure-sensitive adhesivebody 30 is produced. Alternatively, for example, though not shown, thepatterned pressure-sensitive adhesive body 30 is capable of beingproduced without laminating the release cover film 21 on thepressure-sensitive adhesive film 20.

In a case where the release cover film 21 is not laminated on thepressure-sensitive adhesive film 20, the production device 1 may not berequired to include the cover film-sending roll 5, the coverfilm-winding roll 10, and the first tension roll 9.

In the residue-removing film 36, the patterned pressure-sensitiveadhesive layers 26 are exposed, so that in the residue-removing film 36in the embodiment in FIG. 1, the patterned portions of the patternedpressure-sensitive adhesive layers 26 are also peeled off. Thus, forexample, the release treatment is applied to the portion in which theresidue-removing film 36 is overlapped with the patternedpressure-sensitive adhesive layer 26 at the time of laminating theresidue-removing film 36 and the third laminate 33 and being projectedin the thickness direction so that the patterned pressure-sensitiveadhesive layers 26 are not strongly attached to the residue-removingfilm 36. For example, the release treatment is applied to the surface atthe center in the widthwise direction (the surface excluding a portionthat corresponds to the outer-side portion of the second slits 42 in thewidthwise direction) of the residue-removing film 36.

In this way, the outer-side pressure-sensitive adhesive layer 27 a ispulled to be peeled off by the residue-removing film 36 andsimultaneously, the inner-side pressure-sensitive adhesive layers 27 bthat are connected thereto via the discontinuous portions 43 are alsopulled to be peeled off.

As a result, the manual operation of peeling off the inner-sidepressure-sensitive adhesive layers 27 b (the residues) is capable ofbeing reduced or omitted, so that the production efficiency of thepatterned pressure-sensitive adhesive body 30 is capable of beingsubstantially improved.

In the embodiment in FIG. 3 (f), the patterned cover films 24 that areformed in pattern shapes are laminated on the patternedpressure-sensitive adhesive layers 26. Alternatively, for example, asshown in FIG. 4, a release cover film 21 a in a generally rectangularshape in plane view is also capable of being laminated on the patternedpressure-sensitive adhesive layer 26.

In the release cover film 21 a in a generally rectangular shape in planeview, the length (the short side) thereof in the widthwise direction andthe length (the long side) thereof in the conveying direction are longerthan those of the inner-side substrate film 29. The release cover film21 a in a generally rectangular shape in plane view is formed so as toinclude the inner-side substrate film 29 and the patternedpressure-sensitive adhesive layer 26 when projected in the thicknessdirection.

By using the release cover film 21 a in a generally rectangular shape inplane view, the peeling of the release cover film 21 a at the time ofits use becomes easier, so that the usability of the patternedpressure-sensitive adhesive body 30 becomes excellent.

The patterned pressure-sensitive adhesive body 30 in FIG. 4 with respectto the patterned pressure-sensitive adhesive body 30 in FIG. 3 (f) isobtained as follows: the patterned cover film 24 is peeled off and therelease cover film 21 a in a generally rectangular shape in plane viewis laminated on the upper surface of the patterned pressure-sensitiveadhesive layer 26 in the peeled patterned pressure-sensitive adhesivebody 30.

In the second laminate 32 in FIG. 2 (b), the first slits 41 in patternshapes are formed so that all of a plurality of the inner-side coverfilms 25 b are adjacent to the outer-side cover film 25 a (consequently,all of a plurality of the inner-side pressure-sensitive adhesive layers27 b are adjacent to the outer-side pressure-sensitive adhesive layer 27a). Alternatively, for example, as shown in FIG. 5, the first slits 41in pattern shapes where a cover film portion (a closed surface coverfilm 38, a residue) that is not adjacent to the outer-side cover film 25a is generated may be formed. In such a case, though not shown, at thelower side of the closed cover film 38, a pressure-sensitive adhesivelayer portion (a closed surface pressure-sensitive adhesive layer, aresidue) that is in the same shape as that in plane view and is notadjacent to the outer-side pressure-sensitive adhesive layer 27 a isgenerated.

At this time, in the next step, the closed surface cover film 38 is notpeeled off, along with the outer-side cover film 25 a, via thediscontinuous portions. The closed surface pressure-sensitive adhesivelayer is not peeled off, along with the outer-side pressure-sensitiveadhesive layer 27 a, via the discontinuous portions. In this case, theclosed surface cover film 38 and the closed surface pressure-sensitiveadhesive layer are capable of being removed manually or by pressingafter the patterned pressure-sensitive adhesive body 30 is taken outfrom the fifth laminate 35.

In the embodiment in FIG. 5, the inner-side cover films 25 b and theinner-side pressure-sensitive adhesive layers 27 b are peeled off at thesame time with the outer-side cover film 25 a and the outer-sidepressure-sensitive adhesive layer 27 a in the same manner as theembodiments in which the pattern shapes in FIGS. 2 and 3 are formed, sothat the same effect as that in the embodiments in FIGS. 2 and 3 can beachieved.

The outer shape (that is, the outer frame shape and the shape of thesecond slit 42) of the release substrate film 22 in the patternedpressure-sensitive adhesive body 30 in FIG. 3 (f) is formed into agenerally rectangular shape in plane view. Alternatively, for example,though not shown, the outer shape thereof may be a generally circularshape, an elliptical shape, or a polygonal shape other than therectangular shape in plane view.

In the second laminate 32 in FIG. 2 (b), the discontinuous portions 43in the second slits 42 are not provided at a corner of the outer frameshape (the rectangular shape). Alternatively, for example, though notshown, the discontinuous portions 43 can be also provided at a corner ofthe rectangular shape. In the step of peeling the outer-side cover film25 a and the inner-side cover films 25 b from the second laminate 32, inview of capable of easily peeling the inner-side cover films 25 b alongwith the outer-side cover film 25 a, preferably, the discontinuousportions 43 in the second slits 42 are not provided at a corner of theouter frame shape.

In FIG. 2 (b), the first slits 41 and the second slits 42 aresimultaneously formed in the first laminate 31. Alternatively, forexample, though not shown, after the first slits 41 are formed in thefirst laminate 31, the second slits 42 may be formed in the firstlaminate 31, or after the second slits 42 are formed in the firstlaminate 31, the first slits 41 may be formed in the first laminate 31.

In the production step of the patterned pressure-sensitive adhesive body30 in FIG. 3 (f), the first slits 41 and the second slits 42 are formedby being stamped out with the punching machine 6. Alternatively, forexample, though not shown, the first slits 41 and the second slits 42can be formed with a laser or the like.

In order to accurately adjust the attaching position of the patternedpressure-sensitive adhesive body 30 with an object to be attached whenthe patterned pressure-sensitive adhesive body 30 is attached to theobject to be attached, one or two or more markings such as positioningholes (not shown) can be formed in the central portion or thecircumference end portion of the inner-side substrate film 29.

While the illustrative embodiments of the present invention are providedin the above description, such is for illustrative purpose only and itis not to be construed as limiting the scope of the present invention.Modification and variation of the present invention that will be obviousto those skilled in the art is to be covered by the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A patterned pressure-sensitive adhesive bodyobtained by a method for producing a patterned pressure-sensitiveadhesive body comprising: a pattern forming step of cutting apressure-sensitive adhesive layer in a pressure-sensitive adhesive filmincluding a first release film and the pressure-sensitive adhesive layerlaminated on one surface of the first release film so as to form a firstslit in a pattern shape and an outer frame forming step of cutting thefirst release film and the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer so as toform a second slit in an outer frame shape surrounding the patternshape, wherein the second slit has a discontinuous portion in a cuttingdirection.